State lawmakers criticize, praise federal gun bill

Local gun-control advocates praised the details of the compromise plan to expand background checks on many firearms purchases.

“This is a huge step in the right direction,” said state Sen. Adam Kline, D-Seattle. “Much as I’d prefer the more comprehensive approach taken by the president, this one covers the vast majority of gun sales.”

Kline and others said that if the agreement became law, it would eliminate the need for an initiative campaign dealing with universal background checks in Washington state.

But Ralph Fascitelli, the board president of the local gun-control group Washington Ceasefire, predicted the proposal would not make it through the U.S. House. “I think the odds are still no more than 10 to 15 percent.”